Which factors influence the approach to shared decision-making among surgeons performing complex operations?

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Health Services Research
• Surgical Practice

Background:

• Shared decision-making (SDM) involves patients and surgeons collaborating on treatment options and care goals.
• Understanding surgeon factors influencing SDM is key to improving patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize demographic factors, behaviors, and perceptions of patient involvement among surgeons concerning SDM.
• To identify how surgeon characteristics relate to their approach to shared decision-making.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey methodology was employed to assess surgeon demographics, behaviors, and perceptions.
• Surgeon approaches to SDM were quantified on a scale from 'patient-led' (0) to 'surgeon-led' (100).

Main Results:

• Surgeon SDM approaches varied, with a median rating of 50.0.
• Experience influenced SDM: surgeons with 10+ years favored 'Shared, Patient-led' (27.5%), while less experienced surgeons preferred 'Shared, Surgeon-led' (33.3%).
• Surgeons with 'Patient-led' approaches viewed patient involvement as more important (M=3.82) than those with 'Surgeon-led' approaches (M=3.57).

Conclusions:

• Surgeon demographics, behaviors, and perceptions significantly influence their SDM approaches.
• Optimizing patient-centered care requires dynamic and patient-specific SDM strategies between surgeons and patients.